Photographic-negative rack



(No Model.)

J. E. SMITH. PHOTOGRAPHIU NEGATIVE RACK.

Patented Ma1r. 8, 1898.

WI/WM //v VEN TOR z d/na UNITED STATES I PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. SMITH, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

PHOTOGRAPHlC-NEGATIVE RACK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Eatent No. 600,273, dated March 8, 1898.

Application filed November 29, 1897. Serial No. 660,111. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES H. SMITH, of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvemen ts in Photographic-Negative Racks, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which similar letters of reference in the different figures indicate like parts.

The object of my invention is to provide a cheap, compact, portable knockdown negative-rack which may be especially adapted for the use of amateur and traveling photographers, all of which is hereinafter more particularly described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a plan view of my improved negative-rack, in which the novel features of my invention are embodied. Fig. 2 is a sectional view thereof, taken upon the line 2 2, Fig. 1, viewed in the direction of the arrow there shown. Fig. 3 is an inside View in perspective of one of the end pieces. Fig. 4 is a like outside view of one of said end pieces. Fig. 5 is a perspective View of the two corrugated supports for receiving the negative-plates, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the combined locking device and trough.

Referring to the drawings, a to represent two end pieces, preferably formed from sheet metal, the edges of which are stiffened by means of beads or reinforcing-flanges 1), Figs. 2 and 3. Soldered or otherwise rigidly attached to the end pieces and arranged in intersecting planes at an angle of ninety degrees to each other are sheet-metal fastening devices having flanges c d formed thereon, which are adapted to receive and engage the ends 6 e of sheet-metal connecting-pieces ff in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 1. The lower ends of the flanges d are bent inwardly, as shown at g, to engage the lower edges of the connecting-pieces f and prevent them from sliding downwardly between the flanges.

The co'nnecting-piecesf fare corrugated, as shown, and the transverse grooves h therein are adapted to receive the edges of negativeplates which may be placed therein to drain in the same manner as in negative-racks heretofore employed.

In order to bind the connecting-pieces f f firmly in place and to render the entire structure rigid and secure, so that it may be lifted or moved without danger of falling apart, I insert a longitudinal brace imidway between and parallel with the connecting-pieces ff. The brace may be of wood or metal of any desired shape, but is preferably made in the form of a trough in order to receive and retain the drippings from the negatives in the rack. The length of the brace should be slightly greater than that of the connectingpieces ff, so that it may be wedged between the end pieces ct a in such a manner as to cause the latter to exert a yielding pressure upon the ends of the brace and at the same time bind the connecting-pieces in place in the flanged joints. Inwardly-projecting flanges jj, formed by bending the metal of the end pieces, serve to support the brace t' in place, said flanges being placed low enough down so that the brace will lie in a plane below that reached by the corners of the negatives when supported in the rack.

Myimproved device is especially adapted to the use of amateur photographers, and its advantage lies not only in the compact space that it occupies when packed, but in the fact that the drippings may be received in the removable trough, which serves at the same time to render the structure rigid and secure.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- I 1. In a photographers negative-rack, the combination of end supports, intermediate connecting-pieces adapted to receive and sup port photographic negatives, and a central longitudinal trough placed below said connecting-pieces adapted to receive and retain the drippin gs from the negative supported in said rack, substantially as described.

2. As a new article of manufacture,a knockdown negative-rack composed of end pieces, intermediate detachable connecting-pieces adapted to receive and support photographic negatives, and a longitudinal locking-brace detachably interposed between said end pieces, and normally held in place by means a yielding pressure thereon and prevent separation at the joints of the connecting parts, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed this specification, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses, this 23d day of November, 1897.

JAMES H. SMITH.

Witnesses:

D. H. FLETCHER, F. H. DRURY. 

